LIFELINK DAY 2018: ‘A Good Shepherd is prepared to spend time with people in need’ – Archbishop Costelloe

Archbishop Costelloe presents Christina Mutete of St John Bosco College, Piara Waters, a special plaque. Each and every Catholic school received a plaque in recognition for their ongoing support and participation in LifeLink Day during this “Year of Youth”. Photo: Ron Tan.

By Matthew Lau

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has last week encouraged students from across Perth to follow the prime example of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

Archbishop Costelloe was speaking Wednesday 6 June during the official launch of his 2018 LifeLink Day for Primary Schools.

Some 500 people, including principals, teachers and student representatives from more than 75 primary schools attended the event at Newman College, Churchlands.

Together, Catholic schools and CEWA have raised more than $1.8 million for people in need through the LifeLink Day initiative since it began 20 years ago.

The “Archbishop’s LifeLink Day Initiative for Catholic Schools” was well attended by most of the 90 Perth Archdiocesan schools last week. Photo: Ron Tan.

Archbishop Costelloe explained that the Catholic Church exists to “help people grow to know, to love, and to serve God by following Jesus”.

“Jesus described himself as ‘a Good Shepherd’, and was very practical about what being a Good Shepherd means. One of the things he said is: ‘I am the Good Shepherd, I know my sheep, and they know me’,” the Perth Archbishop said.

Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB delivers his speech about being good disciples of Christ on 6 June at Newman College. Photo: Ron Tan.

Archbishop Costelloe encouraged Catholic schools to utilise the 2018 LifeLink Day launch as an opportunity to show a “practical demonstration of faith”.

“It’s one of the things that Pope Francis is always saying to us; don’t just talk about helping people, actually be with people – because just being with them is a help already.

“One of the things that happens when you’re with people and you get to know each other, is that they begin to trust you – and if they begin to trust you, then they will want to be with you; because we all like to be around people who we can trust.”

The 2018 LifeLink Day launch kicked off with a liturgical dance presented by year four students of Newman College, directed by Ms Stephanie-Kate Crothers. Photo: Ron Tan.

Archbishop Costelloe then took out his crozier to indicate to the pupils what the bishops’ vital role is as primary exemplifiers of the Good Shepherd.

“All of us at different times will find life a bit difficult. The shepherd wants to recognise that someone is in need, and is determined to do something about it.

“It’s a hard job to be a really Good Shepherd all the time. One of the good things about being disciples of Jesus is that we know that we don’t have to do this on our own, because we’ve got Him to help us,” Archbishop Costelloe emphasised.

“He helps by His good example, He helps us by the fact that he’s actually present in our lives, and He helps us through the fact that he gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit to strengthen us when we’re just finding it all a little bit too hard.”